Sam Meisler DVM, a small animal veterinarian, discusses eye infections in dogs. Most dog eye infections are a result of an abrasion to the eye causing a corneal ulcer. There are other causes as well.

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Eye Infections in Dogs

There are a variety of ways a dog can get an eye infection. Running through tall grass or getting dust or debris in the eye can lead to a scratch or ulcer on the cornea, which in turn can lead to an infection. Signs of a potential problem include squinting, shutting the eye, rubbing the eye, and swelling. This is an emergency that requires immediate attention by your vet. Your vet will perform a fluorescein where drops are placed into and along the surface of the eye. The drops will bind to any surface area where there is a disruption in the cornea surface and turn green enabling your vet to see these disruptions or ulcers with an ophthalmoscope.

Treatment of a scratch or corneal ulcer is different from treating inflammation of the eye. Inflammation is treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication. With a scratch or cornea ulcer, steroidal substances cannot be placed in the eye and the vet needs to pay a lot more attention to the condition. Longer treatment with some topical and oral medications and frequent checkups are necessary until the eye is healed.

- Sam Meisler DVM

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